A sad goodbye

By our last day at Nkope, we felt as though we had been there forever. As we packed and went around the hospital taking endless amounts of photos, it was hard to believe that we were potentially seeing this place for the last time. In the afternoon, as we were saying a final goodbye to some of the kids in the village, we got a call from St Martin’s inviting us to spend an evening at the hospital before we left. This felt like a fitting end to our trip, as we hadn’t been able to see St Martin’s since our first day.

I don’t know what we were expecting when we got to the hospital, but we were genuinely speechless when we arrived to a massive outdoor farewell party. As well as all of the people who had become friends with during our stay, several nurses, administrative assistants and other members of staff had come to wish us well. It was unbelievable. There were several speeches throughout the evening, including a rather unprepared double hander from us. We were also able to formally present the hospital with all of the things that we had brought from the UK – largely an assortment of needles, syringes and gloves, as well as books, toiletries and a laptop. The money that everyone so kindly donated through the Come and Sing Haydn’s Paukenmesse was spent on theatre equipment, which the hospital really appreciated. Unfortunately the equipment hadn’t arrived by the time that we left, but St Martin’s should be receiving a large batch of theatre blankets, aprons and sterile shoes at some point during the week.

 As we drove away from St Martin’s the next morning, both Dan and I were quite emotional. Our time at St Martin’s gave us an incredible insight into a world that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to imagine, and (more importantly) we made some amazing friends that we’ll never forget. We’re planning to keep sending basic equipment to the hospital at least twice a year, and we’re really hoping to go back in the not too distant future.

Thank you St Martin’s – it’s been amazing.